All About Pocket Knives

These pretty little Saffron Finches are notoriously skittish and hard to photograph. This is as close as I could get with maximum zoom before they took off.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:41 pm These pretty little Saffron Finches are notoriously skittish and hard to photograph. This is as close as I could get with maximum zoom before they took off.

That's a good capture, those are some bright birds. I had to look them up, another species that was introduced to your state but it sounds as if this one hasn't wreaked havoc on native populations. Would that be a correct statement?

Waukonda wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 10:49 pm another species that was introduced to your state but it sounds as if this one hasn't wreaked havoc on native populations. Would that be a correct statement?

Sounds right. I haven't ever heard anything about Saffron Finches causing issues in HI. They are quite prolific, as finches are wont to be, so I would think it's entirely possible their numbers could actually be a good thing for native bird species. Just a guess, but the high populations may provide easier fare for the rats, mongoose and feral cats that would otherwise eat the native birds and their eggs.

I put a chunk of suet in the fork of a tree in the yard. This little Downy will defend his spot at the suet and fight off the constant onslaught of several Cardinals. Then, after the Downy leaves, the Cardinals fight amongst themselves.

Love the pics Ike.

Great shots Q and Ike.

Once in a while a Brown-headed Cow bird will pass thru this area. However, today for the first time, we were visited by a large flock of these parasitic birds that visited our feed. Perhaps 20 in number. I chased them away a couple of times as I do not want them to get comfortable around here.

During the ice and freezing days I saw no uncommon birds: about six or seven Cardinals,m&f; White-Capped Sparrows, Red-bellied Woodpeckers; two wrens stayed with us and are still here. Was a bit surprised to see a Mockingbird in such cold weather. He's still here. He frequently worked on the suet as did the Blue Jays.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:57 pm Was a bit surprised to see a Mockingbird in such cold weather. He's still here.

A friend of mine has Mockingbirds all Winter, he puts out raisins for them. You could probably do the same and keep your Mockingbird coming around, if you were so inclined.

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 20, 2026 9:41 pm These pretty little Saffron Finches are notoriously skittish and hard to photograph. This is as close as I could get with maximum zoom before they took off.

Q, I missed this. Pretty little immigrants.

Great photos fellers.I have mocking birds year around. They are pretty much the boss of the suet. Bluebirds have hit it a few times lately.

I think this is a female out in front of my house.

Just had 10 or 12 Cedar Waxwings stop by in the late afternoon sun. I hadn't seen any for a while. They were gone again after about 30 seconds, but I managed a couple of poor quality pics.

Mahalo for the nice comments on my marginal (at best) photos, guys. Although I do enjoy the hunt, I don't have nearly the avian photography capture skills as the rest of you bird watchers.

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:14 pm I think this is a female out in front of my house.

Nice shots of that female roadrunner, T-Dog

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 21, 2026 6:38 pm Downy, Cardinals...

Waukonda wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:16 pm Cedar Waxwings

I think we're gonna hafta start calling you "Audubon Ike" due to all the amazing bird pics you consistently post. Don't know how you do it, man, but you sure do get some great ones.....keep 'em coming.....lotsa fun to look at

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 24, 2026 1:46 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:14 pm I think this is a female out in front of my house.

Nice shots of that female roadrunner, T-Dog

QTCut5 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 24, 2026 1:46 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:14 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 21, 2026 6:38 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:16 pm

I think we're gonna hafta start calling you "Audubon Ike"

Thanks! I suppose that does sound better than John James Waukonda........

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:14 pm I think this is a female out in front of my house.

Hey buddy, I totally missed your post 2 minutes before mine. I'm not one to post immediately after someone else with the exception of a couple of threads where there may be running commentary.

Nice Roadrunner pics, definitely not found in these parts. I enjoy seeing them if we travel to the Southwest.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Feb 24, 2026 2:29 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:14 pm

Nice Roadrunner pics, definitely not found in these parts. I enjoy seeing them if we travel to the Southwest.

Thanks Ike The males have bright colors on the skin behind their eyes very interesting birds,

Yesterday I spent most of the day clearing brush out of the pasture fence rows. I saw and heard lots of birds, so while taking a break I turned on the Merlin app on my phone. In just over 7 minutes time it heard Northern Cardinal, Yellow-rumpled Warbler, Mourning Dove, American Crow, House Finch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Northern House Wren, Field Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Downy Woodpecker, and Eastern Bluebird.

Saw several of them but the app always hears more than I can find. Spring has sprung!

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 5:40 pm Yesterday I spent most of the day clearing brush out of the pasture fence rows. I saw and heard lots of birds, so while taking a break I turned on the Merlin app on my phone. In just over 7 minutes time it heard Northern Cardinal, Yellow-rumpled Warbler, Mourning Dove, American Crow, House Finch, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Song Sparrow, Northern House Wren, Field Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Downy Woodpecker, and Eastern Bluebird.

Saw several of them but the app always hears more than I can find. Spring has sprung!

Ken

Bird variety is picking up. I have all those around my place as well.

I was back at it in the pasture today, but working on clearing the small cedars along the creek. Merlin found a new one I had not heard of. American Pipit. I looked it up and decided I’d seen them before but just called them sparrows. Turns out they’re migratory and just winter here before moving north and nesting as the snow melts up there.

The other bird Merlin heard, and I saw, was Mallards. There was a group of 15 or 20 flying north. They were high enough that I wouldn't have identified the species but Merlin recognized their honk!

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 5:40 pm .........
Spring has sprung!

Ken

Yep, I went to set up at a show this weekend and I wore a tee, shorts and sandals.
A sure sign of spring.

Ray

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 27, 2026 10:58 pm I was back at it in the pasture today, but working on clearing the small cedars along the creek. Merlin found a new one I had not heard of. American Pipit. I looked it up and decided I’d seen them before but just called them sparrows. Turns out they’re migratory and just winter here before moving north and nesting as the snow melts up there.

The other bird Merlin heard, and I saw, was Mallards. There was a group of 15 or 20 flying north. They were high enough that I wouldn't have identified the species but Merlin recognized their honk!

Ken

There have been a bunch of American Pipits in the park across the street from my house. And if not for Merlin I would not have recognized them.

No Snowpeckers today, but I did get a decent look at this Northern Flicker in my yard.

Sweet!

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 6:35 pm No Snowpeckers today, but I did get a decent look at this Northern Flicker in my yard.

Good looking bird W.K. ... ... reminds me a bit of the Gila woodpecker that is so common here...